MS02-015: Update Available for Local File Execution Vulnerability in Internet Explorer (319235)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows Millennium Edition SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows XP
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q319235

SYMPTOMS

A vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer that could allow an attacker to run local programs on a user's computer. The attacker could send a specially formatted HTML e-mail message or could create a Web page that, when it was opened, could run a program on the user's local computer. It is important to note that no parameters can be sent. The extent to which an attacker could exploit this vulnerability is limited to running a local program, or to logging the user off from the user's own local computer.

CAUSE

This vulnerability results from the way in which Internet Explorer handles ActiveX objects, specifically with the codeBase property. If you set the CODEBASE property of an object or program to the file path of a local program file, that program file can be invoked without prompting the user. This occurs because when the HTML is processed, it tries to bind to the source. This results in the program file being run because the CODEBASE tag and the OBJECT tag run in the same zone (for example, the My Computer zone). In this case, they should be running in the Internet zone, which would prevent local programs from being run on the user's computer.

RESOLUTION

Internet Explorer 6

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Internet Explorer 6. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

328548 How to Obtain the Latest Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack

The update for this problem is included in the "March 28, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer." For additional information about how to obtain this patch, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

319182 MS02-015: March 28, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2

The update for this problem is included in the "March 28, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer." For additional information about how to obtain this patch, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

319182 MS02-015: March 28, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1

The update for this problem is included in the "March 28, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer." For additional information about how to obtain this patch, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

319182 MS02-015: March 28, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 2 (on Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 only)

This update is only for customers running Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 2 on Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 or Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a. If you are running Internet Explorer 5.01 on any other version of Windows, upgrade to Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 or later, and then apply this update.

The update for this problem is included in the "March 28, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer." For additional information about how to obtain this patch, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

319182 MS02-015: March 28, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer


STATUS

Internet Explorer 6

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6. This problem was first corrected in Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1.

Internet Explorer 5.5

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5.

Internet Explorer 5.01

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01. This problem was first corrected in Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 Service Pack 3.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vulnerability, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms02-015.asp

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:11/17/2005
Keywords:kbbug kbfix kbIE501preSP3Fix kbIE550PreSP3fix kbIE600preSP1fix KbSECBulletin KbSECHack kbSecurity KbSECVulnerability kbWin2000sp3fix kbIE600sp1fix KB319235
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